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Post by livingproof on Nov 18, 2013 6:28:37 GMT -7
Hi All,
Thanks for the thinking. Been without computer for a few days,and, have to admit it's nice just to get away from the electronic world. This weekend was our annual football weekend trip to Penn State. Spectacular weather, sunny and high 50's, but, the skier in me wants cold weather. State College Pa. can be a very cold place, and, we pass a small ski hill, Tussy Mt., a few miles from PSU. My mouth was watering looking at ski trails. Maybe in another month, Pa skiing will open up.
Liam - I ski the Pulse short at 170. I did own the 178 version, but, it more a high speed GS ski. Like your downsizing, I found the shorter length works better for me. I've come to believe that we all need to challenge the commonly accepted concepts that big people need big skis, and, determine what works for you. Svend offered some great examples of prejudging skis, only to be surprised at how they work. Jim, thanks for your blessings on taking a narrower ski out west.
On the subject of renting while in the west, my experience is there are so many skis and it's just too confusing. In Tahoe 2 years ago, I skied over a dozen skis in 8 days. My takeaway is that I enjoyed the ski shaped like the one I'm used to skiing as my favorite. Should be no surprise there. I have regrets about not keeping the Rev 85, no sense looking back. One lesson from the Rev 85, and again this should be no surprise, is that it takes days to learn the quirks across the spectrum of western conditions. The plan remains to get to my local demo day in January, Solly and K2 are always there and make a short list of 90ish skis. Pray that the snow will be a little soft, as it was when Jim and Lynn joined up there 2 years ago.
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Post by superbman on Nov 18, 2013 8:40:40 GMT -7
The Pulse in a 170cm is a great eastern ski, esp for moguls and groomers. Less so glades and crud and deeper conditions, bu still fine in the right hands. I wouldn't regret the loss of the rev 85 as it probably offered few advantages over the pulse you own.
A three ski quiver is great..bt not for traveling, I like a two ski travel quiver. Right now that is the Shaman and the Howitzer (which is getting skins and a hybrid binding..the tyrolia adrenaline). Which brings me to my main thought: You love the Pulse, now think about a ski that covers conditions completely different from that ski: Viola! You'll have the perfect traveling two-pack. Think about extending the versatility and use of an additional ski by putting an AT/Alpine hybrid binding on it. I Try to have as little overlap as possible.
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Post by ron on Nov 18, 2013 9:22:54 GMT -7
Mike, the problem is that you have some very different described needs. Are these for Blue or out west? Different needs for sure. BTW- I recom'd the Q98 for out west. The issue isn't the ski (although we differ greatly on this), Not knocking you but you are trying to ski broken and crud with an aggressive approach that requires speed and strength to do it properly (frankly, far too demanding for me to do this all day). I had the same issues and struggled to ski this kind of terrain. I haven 't skied with you for a few years but I would recommend that you try modifying your technique to accommodate less aggressive, slower speed skiing in these conditions. I did and it greatly helped. Working on two-footed skiing, softer edges (hard edges uses so much energy and is just harder to ski this way), using soft edge with strong edge set and releases will create huge amounts of energy and active flexation and extension with the body moving towards the new turn and KEEP THE POLE PLANTS coming, it will create a rhythm which is so important. Also, until you correct your backseat issue, you are going to continue to struggle in snow that will challenge your balance and stability. Work on dry land training for balance and posture- standing on bosu balls or balance discs will make you aware of the way you hold yourself and will help to improve a stacked and balanced stance. You can do this with ski poles and being aware of having your hips beneath you and maintaining a slight curve to your upper back. You will feel it. I have made some significant changes to the way I hold myself that have paid off greatly. I have found that many people have a natural tendency to hold their upper body far too upright resulting in the body to actually lean slightly backwards.
Regarding ski selection, stop focusing on ski width. that's an old mainstay of ski technology that is no longer valid. You need to look at the overall construction; flex patterns torsional stiffness and so on; and don't forget the most overlooked factor that I know Gary rants about; mount point. Get beyond this focus on width. Its not going to find you a ski you are looking for.
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Post by gary on Nov 18, 2013 11:46:44 GMT -7
Hey Ron....nice to see you back here posting again. Your experiences and insight are appreciated.
You covered a lot of territory in your post....but I recall for myself in my evolution of skiing...I had to adapt...I had to find what would allow me to experience terrain I always wanted to ski but hard edging skills made it to difficult if not dangerous.
Working on core and balance is SO cool cause it crosses over into so many other sports but is SO essential to fluid skiing. I know Mike posses some very solid ski skills. Speaking stickily about my past, I knew that I was not going to be as fluid on 3D snow as I was on eastern hardpack or western groomers unless I made a concerted effort to watch and learn how the best skiers were skiing that kind of terrain. If I wanted to taste, I had to have the appetite for what was being served....AND step up to get some!
Still...I always say...if you're smiln' and happy with what and where your skiing...enjoy the ride cause that's what it's truly all about.
Cheers, G
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Post by ron on Nov 19, 2013 7:40:27 GMT -7
Gary, I replied but its not here now........
I was agreeing with core strength and procipriation work and its importance.
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Post by HighAngles on Nov 19, 2013 13:51:23 GMT -7
I'd like to say that for LP's upcoming season's plans that he just CANNOT be out West without a fat ski (something over 90 at least). Now whether it makes sense to rent or buy is clearly his decision, but I know that when I was with him in Tahoe (Squaw) the difference between a phenomenal day and a frustrating day can be squarely laid on the tools you put on your feet. Traveling with 2 pairs isn't a major problem as long as you have a good ski bag/case. Rocker changes the game when it comes to thinking about ski width. I have gravitated toward narrower rockered powder skis for resort use. I would go wider if I actually was planning some BC action (Heli or a Cat trip), but if you're staying inbounds then I don't feel you have to go crazy on the width (when the virgin snow isn't going to last). If you have the money I don't think you can go wrong with the DPS Wailer 112RP (and the hybrid isn't all that expensive). The Rossi Soul 7 is getting a lot of buzz, but it didn't have that wow factor for me on hard pack (like the 112RP does for me) and I didn't get a chance to ski it in deep snow. The Stockli Stormrider 107 looks very promising (but is also pricey). I think the Nordicas are the "sleepers" in this search. The Soul Rider has adult graphics this season and the Patron is a ski that was especially surprising for me (very capable almost everywhere considering its width). Anyhow, LP - I can't remember if you've ever skied anything over 100mm in deep snow. If not, then you should really consider how you can make that happen. Life is too short to ski on the wrong skis.
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Post by ToddW on Nov 19, 2013 14:22:12 GMT -7
Qualifer: I'd like to add truthfully...I've become more of a 3 person ski in part for me it just makes skiing the variety of snow i get to ski easier. Not everyone will take that away from adding a wider rider. I think the key is to demo for a few days in 3d snow. Given ones ski style preference, see if it really makes a difference at all.Hmmm.... I get it. "Adding a wider rider" twice makes Gary's "3 person ski." Sort of a skier cross competition on one pair of skis. Sounds exciting. I expect it will really make a difference, especially in 3d snow where ya gotta watch that fore-aft balance I think I need to go get some coffee to reboot my brain. Thanks for the laugh, Gary.
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Post by superbman on Nov 19, 2013 14:39:21 GMT -7
I'd like to say that for LP's upcoming season's plans that he just CANNOT be out West without a fat ski (something over 90 at least). Now whether it makes sense to rent or buy is clearly his decision, but I know that when I was with him in Tahoe (Squaw) the difference between a phenomenal day and a frustrating day can be squarely laid on the tools you put on your feet. Traveling with 2 pairs isn't a major problem as long as you have a good ski bag/case. Rocker changes the game when it comes to thinking about ski width. I have gravitated toward narrower rockered powder skis for resort use. I would go wider if I actually was planning some BC action (Heli or a Cat trip), but if you're staying inbounds then I don't feel you have to go crazy on the width (when the virgin snow isn't going to last). If you have the money I don't think you can go wrong with the DPS Wailer 112RP (and the hybrid isn't all that expensive). The Rossi Soul 7 is getting a lot of buzz, but it didn't have that wow factor for me on hard pack (like the 112RP does for me) and I didn't get a chance to ski it in deep snow. The Stockli Stormrider 107 looks very promising (but is also pricey). I think the Nordicas are the "sleepers" in this search. The Soul Rider has adult graphics this season and the Patron is a ski that was especially surprising for me (very capable almost everywhere considering its width). Anyhow, LP - I can't remember if you've ever skied anything over 100mm in deep snow. If not, then you should really consider how you can make that happen. Life is too short to ski on the wrong skis. Well, that's well said! Big mountains ski better with bigger skis (within reason). I really liked Ron's focus on 'other skill sets' coupled with ski design/ construction as the path to glory..so many different ways to go about finding the right set of sticks…and, they are out there, the right set…ski design is moving towards some great convergence that's been worth the effort. Since HA broke the seal on the wider ski suggestion bar (thank, Goodness, because the sea of recommending 85-90mm skis for western skiing on big days was giving me the heebie jeebies !). LP, if you want a fairly effortless ski that handles groomers ok (for a fatty) but is very maneuverable in all kinds of snow, has a speed limit, but a fairly high one check out the now venerable Nordica Patron (as HA suggests…in fact, pictures of HA on the Patrons on another forum is why I tried it out--plus the local shop was thinking of picking up Nordica, we didn't but only because only Slushies in anchorage are harder to sell).
I skied the Patron in mixed snow in Northern, VT glades (Smuggs…talk about underrated-forget the Family designation, these guys get the snow and the terrain) and open slopes and really loved it. Very easy, smooth turner, yeah, it's wide and rockered…but not too wide or too rockered. That coupled with your Pulse would really cover the gamut of conditions you'd find at Snowbird/Alta (I think after a day you'd leave the Pulses in the Bag unless it's bulletproof..which does happen in Little cottonwood, just not that often!).
I have it on good authority even Bushwacker (hey, with the new site can you lift his ban?) is skiing the Patron as his glade ski this season...
Oh, Dan-I saw you were fishing for deep snow skis for your lady friend on another forum..I can't recommend it there, but I'll do it here: Icelantic Oracle/ K2 Superbright. By way of testing for a shop, I have skied both, and the Icelantic is the only women's ski I have ever seen a woman who actually rips off-piste ski.[/quote]
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Post by Gandalf on Nov 19, 2013 15:49:36 GMT -7
Superbman: It's OK to say "PMTS" on this forum. In fact, I would like a volunteer to add a summary of the PMTS forum to the "other ski sites" thread.
BTW, I edited your post to break your response out of the quoted text.
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Post by livingproof on Nov 20, 2013 8:55:34 GMT -7
You guys are just killing my thinking, and, have me wondering if I should just do the wide ski thing one more time. @high Angles - I remember our Tahoe experience very well. Our day, with John Botti at Squaw, was the deepest powder that I've ever experienced. Frankly, my greatest learning was how unprepared I am to ski deep, somewhat heavy powder. It was overwhelming from the standpoint of technique, confidence and equipment, and, as it was near the weeks end, my body was fatigued. Again, my typical environment does not permit me to gain experience in powder. In the 8 days of the Montana gathering, we did not experience any snow and my Pulse skis would have worked fine. I remember riding a chair with you and discussing this. I do agree that it's possible to take 2 skis on trips, and, I have a double ski carrying device. The below review is from Start Haus, where Phil works, and is done by Sierra Jim who I find to be a competent reviewer. Included are reviews of the Quest 98 that Ron likes. So, I'll plan the demo day around this listing and some others mentioned above. starthaus.com/wordpress/2013/10/18/all-mountain-ski-review-95-98mm-sierra-jim/
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